Bhubaneswar, May 16: A landmark English publication titled “Ratnabhandar of Shri Jagannath Temple” was officially released at a grand ceremony held at a hotel’s conference hall in Bhubaneswar. The book, co-authored by renowned Jagannath culture researcher Dr. Bhaskar Mishra and former senior administrative officer Sushant Kumar Dash, delves into the secrets and historical significance of the temple’s famed treasure chamber, the Ratnabhandar.
The event was inaugurated by former Chief Secretary of the State Culture Department, Manoranjan Panigrahi, in the presence of several dignitaries. Among the special guests were Indramani Tripathy, State Labour Commissioner of Odisha, and Prof. Basanta Kumar Panda, who addressed the gathering as the keynote speaker.
Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries emphasized the global importance of scholarly works on Lord Jagannath, noting that over a hundred research papers on various aspects of Jagannath worship — including his origin, Rath Yatra, rituals, temple architecture, daily routines, and offerings — have been accepted by universities across India and the world.
Dr. Bhaskar Mishra formally welcomed the guests and provided an insightful presentation on the contents and objectives of the book. The ceremony began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp before the Lord’s idol, followed by co-author Sushant Kumar Dash sharing highlights from the book and discussing the current state of the Ratnabhandar.
